With the final matchday of the Champions League approaching, Manchester United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick has included six youth academy players in the travelling squad ahead of their final group stage game against Young Boys.
The Red Devils, who have already sealed qualification into the knockout stages of the tournament, will look to give their youngsters some minutes in the limelight. United’s academy, known as Carrington to the football world, has produced prodigious talents in the past, including the famous Class of ‘92, featuring players such as Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and more recently, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford.
The five players in contention for tonight’s game include defender Bjorn Hadley, and engine-room players Zidane Iqbal, Charlie Savage, Charlie Wellens, and Sam Mather. Talented striker Shola Shoretire also features in the side.
The 17-year old Shoretire made his debut for United in the Premier League earlier this year, appearing against Newcastle United at Old Trafford, before also featuring in the Red Devils’ goalless draw against Real Sociedad a few days later.
Holland defender Hardley, 18, was called up to train with the senior squad this season, and Wellens, 19, was promoted in September 2019. Charlie’s father, Ritchie, interestingly played in United’s first team back in 1999.
Savage, 18, is the son of Wales international and Leicester man Robbie Savage. The 17-year old Mather rose up the ranks at United earlier this year, after turning professional.
Iqbal, one of the most promising talents of the South Asian community, will be one to watch out for after he signed a contract with the Red Devils in April this year.
Rangnick is expected to make a number of changes to his side for the clash against YBFC, following a busy week for the senior squad, who played three games in eight days.
Serbian veteran Nemanja Matic has been confirmed as United’s skipper for the game, while Rangnick also made certain that Dean Henderson and Donny van de Beek would start the fixture. Other names that could possibly feature in the game are Anthony Elanga, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard, Mason Greenwood, and Spanish World-Cup winning veteran Juan Mata.
